{"id":8264,"date":"2023-07-30T21:57:03","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T21:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmontondailynews.com\/?p=8264"},"modified":"2023-07-30T21:57:03","modified_gmt":"2023-07-30T21:57:03","slug":"b-c-lions-add-to-elks-misery-with-27-0-victory-in-edmonton-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmontondailynews.com\/b-c-lions-add-to-elks-misery-with-27-0-victory-in-edmonton-2\/","title":{"rendered":"B.C. Lions add to Elks\u2019 misery with 27-0 victory in Edmonton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just when you thought things couldn\u2019t get any worse for the Edmonton Elks.<\/p>\n

Dane Evans completed a pair of touchdown passes as the B.C. Lions defeated Edmonton 27-0 on Saturday, helping the Elks take sole possession of the worst run of home losses in North American professional sports history.<\/p>\n

Unbelievably, it was the second time this year that the Lions have blanked the Elks, also doing so in the second week of the season, when they won 22-0 in Vancouver. Before that Edmonton had not been shutout in a game since 1976.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is unreal,\u201d Evans said of keeping the Elks off the scoreboard completely. \u201cThat is hard to do in the NFL, but here, all you have to do is kick it into the end zone to get one point. To do it twice is pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is pretty unique,\u201d echoed Lions head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell. \u201cGetting a shutout, that is not even part of our mindset going into a game. You are just trying to win the game, but it worked out to be two shutouts. I\u2019ve never been a part of something like that before.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Lions improved to 6-1 and took over lone ownership of first place in the West Division.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was proud that they played for a full 60 minutes on all three phases,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cObviously, the defence stands out because it was a shutout, but that is a function of not just our defence, but also our offence and special teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edmonton dropped to 0-8, the worst start in franchise history.<\/p>\n

The home hex continues for the Elks, who have lost a CFL-record 21 consecutive home games, a string of futility stretching back to Oct. 12, 2019.<\/p>\n

The loss surpassed the longest run of consecutive home losses held by Major League Baseball\u2019s St. Louis Browns, who lost 20 straight in 1953 before becoming the Baltimore Orioles the following season.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an oddity to me to not be able to play good football and, secondly, not to be able to play good football at home,\u201d Elks head coach Chris Jones said. \u201cThat\u2019s strange to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edmonton has also lost 12 straight games overall.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Frustration) is at an all-time high right now,\u201d said Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius. \u201cThe first half, we get behind the sticks with penalties, it seemed like every drive it was something. And then to come out in the second half and still not put up any points for a second game in a row against these guys is just crazy, man.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Edmonton took 13 penalties for 177 yards.<\/p>\n

The Lions had strong drives on their first two possessions, but were forced to settle for field goals on both, with Shaun Whyte striking from 26 and 16 yards.<\/p>\n

Veteran quarterback Evans, starting in place of Vernon Adams Jr. who served as the third string as he rests an aching knee, finally found the end zone with five minutes to play in the second quarter as he hit Justin McInnis with a 23-yard pass for a touchdown.<\/p>\n

Evans completed 25 of 32 passes for 330 yards on the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we had the opportunity to trade for him, I remember that day, it was a no-brainer for us to get a guy like that,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cHe is a good football player who has won a lot of games.<\/p>\n

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